The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1887-03-11
The ACTUAL FIGURES


THE ACTUAL FIGURES
1sv Tvsaty Yeass e Pss&sssssa Cssass1
: . Ossas Hoos Maskse ~ - 1RDsso
/; e H. Country.
The acreage of improved land in
farms. in the Western States. has in
crsaaed wonderfully. because these
twenty years Of profession have
broaght TO these shores millions a
farmers from Europe. But the same
influence has also brought . great
number Of other workers. and planted
them close by the farms where they
would be Of the greatest benefit - con
sumers. The tables show that in 1854
the number Of hands employed in man
ufactures was 361 for every 100000
acres of improved land. But in 1880 it
had risen to 4S3 for every 100. 900 acres.
If we suppose that each hand employed
supports himseH and two others, then
We have 1.OS3 persons to the acre in
1860 to eat the products of the farms,
against 1.464 in 1880. Moreover.
the wages of manufacturing emf
ployes at the West have in
creased even more than the number
of hands. In the ten Western States
it will be seen that the average wages
paid to all persons employed in. manu-
features, men women and children,
whether working for the whole year or
only part of the year. amounted to
$305 for each person. but in 1890 the
average was $3.50. Consequently the
eaters had each more money with
which to buy the products of the farm.
In 1860 their wages averaged 81 10 for
every acre of improved land.in farms;
in 1880 they averaged 81 Il. In effect
this increase of 81 cents to each acre
was an enlargement Of IS per cent in
the home market upon which the
farmer must depend for his highest
prosperity. Notwithstanding the mar
velous growth of agriculture, the
home market virtually grew more rap
idly; for every 100 acres added to i'm
proved land in farms there were in
effect added a home market for l55
acres.
Now the home market not only buys
food, but it also buys materials for
manufacture. The increase in the
large part Of the home market which
is formed by the purchase of materials
for manufacture has been even greater
than that which is formed by the pur.
chase of food. This increase, the tables
show, has been nearly five-fold. In
consequence the value of materials
consumed in manufac ture in the West
ern States. for each acre of improved
land in farms. averaged 81 OF in 1860,
but in 1880 had risen to 81 50. a gain
of nearly 80 per cent. OF course the
materials of manufacture are not
entirely drawn from the farms by
any means; but large part of them
are. and the increase in that part has
been quite as great rs in the remain
der. In the light of these facts the
American farmer can determine for
himself what would have been his fate
if. with an addition Of $4,000. 600 acres
Of improved land in twenty years in
ten Western States, and 121, 900, OOC
acres in the whole country. there had
been only moderate growth Of thein-
dustries in which consumers of farm
products are employed. Amazing rs
was the increase in farms in those ten
Western States. the increase in num-
Der of hands employed in manufacture
was 80 per cent greater; the in
crease in the wages which they had to
spend for farm products was IS
per cent greater; and the increase in
the value of materials purchased for
manufactures in these same States was
80 per cent. greater.
Since 1880 Free Traders have die
tated legislation to the Lower House OF
Congress. To that element the farm
ers owe a considerable reduction of
duties in 1888. especially in the duties
on wool. and prolonged and disturb
ing agitation for free trade in 1884, in
1885 and in 1886. The growth of man
ufactures has been checked by this con-
slant agitation, so that the uninter-
rupted development of the farms has
caused remarkably low prices for farm
products. 1t is for the farmers them
selves to say whether this pleases them,
or whether they would rather return to
the policy under which steady protec-
ton for twenty years brought more
rapid development of manufacturing
than farming. and thus a more healthy
adjustment of industries.-N 7. Tri6-
VzlS.